the viewing deck: Paricutin Volcano (2,774masl) Self-guided Solo Budget Day Hike

30 Days Pandemic Summer Solo Trip in Mexico November 27, 2020 to December 27, 2020

Monte Tlaloc (4,053masl) Self-guided Solo Budget Day Hike

Paricutin Volcano was named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World because mankind witnessed its birth (in 1943 when a mini-volcano popped up in the cornfield on a fast growing rate, from 410masl now 2,774masl).

To all those who wish to complete the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.... http://sevennaturalwonders.org/

Mexico Day 8 (my 6th of Seven World's Natural Wonders and World's youngest volcano): Self-guided solo major day hike (difficult back trail) to Paricutin Volcano (2,774masl) with 817m elevation, 37km back trail distance for 13 hours (the newest longest distance record I have on a dayhike, got lost for more than 3 hours as I tried to push for circuit trail), the hardest summit assault I ever did and DIY transportation. Guide and horse ride is recommended. #mexico #hiking #lakbaySevenNaturalWonders #livealifeyouwillremember #hikingnomore #DIYneveragain

Budget Estimate: $128 (7 USD)

How to Go: From Uruapan bus terminal, take Angahuan van for $28 fare with 45 minutes travel time, earliest departure is 0530H. From Angahuan main road, walk to Angahuan Tourist Center area where the trail starts. National park fee costs $20 (1 USD). No water source on the trail. Guide and horse ride is recommended if you want to go back to Angahuan before 5pm. You will shoulder guide fee, your horse, your guide's horse and tip for a total of less than $1,000 (depends on your negotiation).

Places Visited: Church ruin, Paricutin Volcano crater. Despite that Paricutin Volcano is recognized as one of Seven Natural Wonders of the World and Youngest Volcano in the World, it is considered as "off the beaten path" destination in Mexico (not promoted well / less improvement / treated as very ordinary volcano). Paricutin Volcano was named as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World because mankind witnessed its birth (in 1943 when a mini-volcano popped up in the cornfield on a fast growing rate, from 410masl now 2,774masl). The long hike is a 23km circuit trail with 817m elevation gain, but since the majority of the trail has NO MARKS at all (only on summit assault), I was forced to do the back trail. The trail mostly is composed of scattered sharp volcanic rocks, very dusty (sandy) and very steep conic shape summit assault (lots of moving rocks, very slippery).

Paricutin Volcano (2,774masl) Self-guided Solo Budget Day Hike

Day 07: Dec. 03, 2020 Thu / Mexico City / Uruapan

0730H ETD Hostel; walk to Centro; breakfast 46

Catedral Metropolitana (hostel walk)

Palacio de Bellas Artes (hostel walk)

Monumento a la Revolución (hostel walk)

Money Exchange: 300 USD = $5,640 (18.8)

1100H ETD Hostel; metro to Autobuses Norte, line 5

1130H ETA Autobuses Norte 750; torta meal 36

1230H ETD Mexico

1900H ETA Uruapan; walk to Gran Hotel Acosta 320

Tacos meal and pack snacks 87

TOTAL: $1,239

Day 08: Dec. 04, 2020 Fri / Paricutin Volcano

0530H ETD Grand Hotel Acosta; walk to bus station

0545H ETD Uruapan; van to Angahuan $28

0630H ETA Angahuan; walk to trail start point; Sneaked-in some road not to bump-off with guides

Guides on the main road shows-up around 8am, Got lost for more than an hour on the trail

1330H ETA Start summit assault; legs exhausted; Lots of moving rocks, very steep, very slippery

1445H ETA Volcano summit; rest / photo-ops

1530H Start descent (aiming for circuit trail); Got lost for almost 2 hours on the trail (back trail)

Both hands had cuts from volcanic rocks / injury; Countless trail slippage, anxiety inevitable

Mobile phone as flashlight (brought powerbank) ; Trail at night is very safe, walking alone throughout

2030H ETA Sta. Ana main road; shared taxi $100; Shared taxi was just out of luck, usually none

2130H ETA Hotel; starving, leg muscles exhausted

TOTAL: $128 (7 USD)

Note:

1. Doing the hike on budget all-DIY thing is a matter of personal sense of accomplishment. I always choose self-guided / DIY if I have the opportunity to do so.

2. Paricutin Volcano hike is my 3rd consecutive self-guided solo major day hike (difficult trails) within a week, following Mexico's Top #9 (Monte Tlaloc) and #11 (Cerro del Ajusco) highest mountains (longest distance hike and highest elevation gain).

3. All of this 3 mountains I hiked in Mexico are considered "less visited" that's why around 98% of the time I'm alone on the trail (nature meditation). 4. December 2020 is still at peak of pandemic period especially in Mexico. (5) No English speaker anywhere, offline Google translate and Google Map is a solid genius.